U-19 World Cup: Rishabh Pant’s 24-ball 78 powers India U-19 to comprehensive win over Nepal
Rishabh Pant (L) and Ishan Kishan (R) gave India U-19 a flying start in modest chase. (Source: ICC)
India U-19 opener smashed a 18-ball fifty – fastest at this level – to help his side gun down Nepal’s 169 in just 18.1 overs, with seven wickets in hand.
Chasing the modest total, India openers were off to a flier with Pant doing bulk of the scoring – with sixes – and captain Ishan Kishan giving him good company with a brisk hand from the other end.
Nepal did hit back with quick wickets but the start meant the chase was never going to be a tough ask. Sarfara Khan and Armaan Jaffer guided team home with almost 32 overs to spare.
Earlier, after put into bat first, Nepal were rocked early by India’s new-ball pair of Avesh Khan and Khaleel Ahmed. They were reduced to 65/4 at one point before Sandeep Sunar and Aarif Sheikh bailed them out of trouble.
Nepal, who already sealed the quarters berth with consecutive wins, were completely outplayed by 2012 champs India in all departments. The win takes India to top of their group and takes them into quarters with an all-win record.
Brief Scores: India U-19 – 175/3 (Pant 78, Kishan 52; Tamang 2/41) beat Nepal U-19 169/8 (Sunar 37, Singh 35; Avesh 3/34)
